Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since its introduction in 1898 into South Africa, the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile [Mayr 1868 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)], has invaded human-occupied areas (i.e. urban and agricultural areas) and natural areas characterised by few, if any, anthropogenic disturbances. However, compared to other countries in which the Argentine ant has been recorded, and until the past few decades, very little research had been done on this invasive ant in South Africa. Consequently, several issues concerning its ecological and social effects are still under-researched. The first of these issues concerns the lack of knowledge about the distribution of the Argentine ant in the natural areas, particularly the protected areas (PAs), of South Africa. In order to determine how many PAs are occupied by this invasive ant, a study was conducted in the Western Cape Province (WCP). It was found that, of the 614 PAs documented for WCP, ten have a known presence and nine known absence records of the Argentine ant. The remainder of the PAs have no known occupancy records for this ant. A second issue concerns the seasonal bait preference of the Argentine ant in a fynbos habitat. Six bait treatments (two carbohydrate and protein baits, a mixture of the carbohydrate and protein treatments, and a control) were applied in a fynbos habitat across a sampling grid in four different Latin Square designs, i.e. once for every season. Based on these experiments, it was determined that the Argentine ant prefers the mixture of carbohydrate and protein treatments, and that this preference does not change according to season. Furthermore, previous studies conducted in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve [JNR (in WCP)] determined the existence of a distribution boundary of Argentine ants in an area known as Swartboschkloof. Therefore, the third issue concerned the exact location of the distribution boundary and possible reasons for its establishment. This distribution boundary of the Argentine ant was found to be present 450 m from Swartboschkloof hiking trail. A combination of several explanatory variables may contribute to the maintenance of this boundary, i.e. a change in the horizontal and vertical vegetation distribution, as well as in the slope and aspect across the distribution boundary. With these explanatory variables, the increasing presence of an indigenous ant species, Anoplolepis custodiens, from this boundary may also have contributed to the distribution boundary. In addition, the short-term effect of a fire that swept through this area was also assessed, which revealed that Argentine ants are severely negatively affected by fire (at least over the short-term), i.e. their abundance decreased considerably after the fire and their local distribution range contracted. The final issue concerns the public perceptions of invasive alien species (IAS) in general and the Argentine ant specifically, at JNR. This study revealed that the majority of visitors to JNR were aware of the presence of IAS in South Africa and in its PAs, while very few visitors knew about the Argentine ant. This study also revealed that future research concerning South Africans perceptions of IAS might play a strong contributing role in conservation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die Argentynse mier, Linepithema humile [Mayr 1868 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)], in 1898 in Suid-Afrika ingevoer is, het dié mier mens-bewoonde gebiede (soos stedelike en landbou gebiede) en natuurlike gebiede, gekenmerk deur min, indien enige, antropogeniese versteuringe, binnegedring. Nietemin, in vergelyking met ander lande waar die Argentynse mier opgeteken is, en tot die onlangse paar dekades, is min navorsing oor hierdie indringermier in Suid-Afrika onderneem. Gevolglik is daar verskeie kwessies rondom die mier se ekologiese en sosiale uitwerkinge wat nog nie nagevors is nie. Die eerste kwessie het betrekking op die gebrek aan kennis oor die Argentynse mier se verspreiding in die natuurlike gebiede, veral die beskermde gebiede (BG), van Suid-Afrika. Om te bepaal hoeveel BG deur hierdie indringermier beset word, is ʼn ondersoek in die Wes-Kaapprovinsie (WKP) uitgevoer. Daar is bevind dat, van die 614 BG gedokumenteerd in die WKP, het tien bevestigde aanwesigheid- en nege bevestigde afwesigheidrekords van hierdie mier. Die oorblywende BG het geen bekende besettingsrekords van hierdie mier nie. ʼn Tweede kwessie het betrekking op die seisoenale lokaasvoorkeur van die Argentynse mier in ʼn fynbos habitat. Ses lokaas-behandelings (twee koolhidraat en proteïen lokaas, ʼn mengsel van die koolhidraat en proteïen behandelings, en ʼn kontrole) is aangewend in ʼn fynbos habitat, oor ʼn steekproefruitgebied, in vier verskillende Latyns-kwadraatpatrone (“Latin Sqaure designs”), d.i. een vir elke seisoen. Op grond van hierdie eksperimente is vasgestel dat die Argentynse mier die mengsel van koolhidrate en proteïne verkies, en dat hierdie voorkeur nie seisoenaal verander nie. Boonop, vorige ondersoeke wat in die Jonkershoek Natuurreservaat [JNR (in die WKP)] uitgevoer is, het ʼn verspreidings-grens van Argentynse miere ontdek in ʼn gebied bekend as Swartboschkloof. Gevolglik het die derde kwessie betrekking op die presiese ligging van hierdie grens en moontlike redes waarom dit gevestig het. Dié verspreidings-grens van die Argentynse mier is 450 m vanaf die Swartboschkloof voetslaanpad gevind. ʼn Kombinasie van verskeie verklarende veranderlikes kon tot hierdie grens bygedra het, d.i. ʼn verandering in die horisontale en vertikale plantegroeiverspreiding, sowel as in die helling en ligging oor die verspreidings-grens van die Argentynse mier. Tesame met hierdie verklarende veranderlikes, kon die toenemende teenwoordigheid van ʼn inheemse mier, Anoplolepis custodiens, vanaf hierdie grens ook tot die verspredings-grens bygedra het. Daarbenewens is die korttermyn-effek van ʼn vuur wat deur die area beweeg het, ook bestudeer. Die ondersoek het getoon dat die Argentynse mier (ten minste oor die korttermyn) erg negatief deur vuur beïnvloed is, d.i. hul volopheid het ná die vuur aansienlik verminder en hul plaaslike verspreidings-grens het gekrimp. Die finale kwessie het betrekking op openbare persepsie van uitheemse indringerspesies (UIS) oor die algemeen en spesifiek die Argentynse mier, by JNR. Hierdie ondersoek het aan die lig gebring dat die meerderheid van besoekers aan JNR bewus was van die teenwoordigheid van UIS in Suid-Afrika en in dié se BG, terwyl baie min egter van die Argentynse mier geweet het. Hierdie ondersoek het ook aan die lig gebring dat toekomstige navorsing rakende Suid-Afrikaners se persepsie van UIS ʼn sterk bydra tot bewaring kan maak.

Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Understanding the drivers and mechanisms of changes in plant richness is a basis for making scientifically sound ecological predictions and land use decisions. Of the numerous factors affecting plant richness, soil has a particularly large influence on the composition and structure of terrestrial flora. Infiltrability is one of the most important factors determining soil moisture, and therefore is of particular interest in semi-arid ecosystems, where water is one of the most limiting resources. Other soil properties, such as clay + silt content, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH may also influence plants. Heterogeneity of these properties creates niches with specific conditions, which in turn affects spatial distribution of plants. An understanding of the relationships between plant richness and soil properties is, however, incomplete. The present study has two main foci. Firstly, relationships between plant richness and soil infiltrability, clay + silt, EC and pH (H2O) were investigated, and secondly, due to the strong influence of infiltrability on plant richness, further investigations were undertaken to improve the understanding of the role of particle size fractions, EC of the soil solution and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) on infiltrability. This study only concentrated on the surface 2 cm thick soil layer (known as pedoderm).

Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Medicinal plants represent an important asset to the livelihoods of many people in developing countries. This is the case for South Africa where most of the rural and also urban communities rely on medicinal plants for their primary healthcare needs and income generation. Harvesting for domestic usage is not generally detrimental to the wild populations of medicinal plants. However, the shift from subsistence to commercial harvesting is posing unprecedented extinction threat to the wild populations of medicinal plants. The purpose of this investigation was to: (1) document the most traded/used species of medicinal plants in the Cape Peninsula, including parts used, sourcing regions, harvesting frequencies and seasons as well as the conservation status of these species; (2) to profile and investigate the rationales for the involvement of stakeholders in medicinal plants related-activities; and to (3) assess constraints and opportunities for sustainable management of medicinal plants in the Cape Peninsula. Triangulation techniques such as semi-structured questionnaires, formal and informal interactions with key informants from the Cape Peninsula and surroundings, personal observations and field visits were used to gather relevant data for this investigation. Accordingly, about 170 medicinal plant species were found to be actively traded or used in the study area. These species were mostly traded/used for their underground parts; shoot, barks and in many cases the whole plant is uprooted. The bulk of traded/used species were from the wild populations, harvested on monthly basis and the Western and Eastern Cape provinces acted as the main source regions. Some of the traded/used species are rare, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered and are declining from the wild. Nonetheless, there are subtitutes for some of these medicinal plant species. Traders and collectors were mainly men in the Cape Peninsula. Cultural considerations, economic conditions and the burden imposed by the number of dependents were the factors influencing local communities to engage in medicinal plants related-activities. Despite the fact that the majority of the informants acknowledged the decline of medicinal plants from wild stocks, an overwhelming number of them expected an upsurge in the future demand for natural remedy due to its popularity among South Africans. Similarly, the majority of the respondents were aware of the conservation status of the plants that they were using, but this did not prevent them from trading/using some protected species. Encouragingly, an overwhelming number of the informants were willing to use cultivated species and cultivate some of the most used medicinal plant species if seeds and land were freely provided. It is noteworthy that these results were influenced by the gender, age, category and time of involvement in medicinal plants, ethnicity and residence status of the respondents as well as the source of supply of medicinal plants. It is recommended that species that have been identified of concern should be prevented from further commercial harvesting. Competent conservation organizations like CapeNature should focus on practical skills development of people who have expressed willingness to cultivate medicinal plants or are already doing so, especially in plant propagation and basic gardening techniques.

Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Riparian ecosystems of the Mediterranean south-western Cape region are projected to experience significant decreases in streamflow due to climate change and increased demands for water associated with human demographic trends and increasing living standards. Aggravating this problem are woody invasive alien plants, such as Acacia mearnsii, whose impacts, including those on catchment water yields, have justified extensive eradication programmes such as Working for Water (WfW). WfW has been highly successful in managing invasive alien species in some areas, while at the same time enhancing the quality of life of poor South Africans. Unfortunately, the managers of these eradication initiatives often experience a lack of information on the species- and site-specific ecological properties that may aid in prioritising sites more prone to invasion, essentially inhibiting accurate management output. Knowledge, such as that associated with the possible future distribution of invasive species in a changing environment, may help to optimise eradication initiatives. I therefore determined whether woody plants portray different physiological (vulnerability to cavitation) and wood anatomical traits (wood density, vessel resistance to implosion, vessel lumen and wall diameters) across three prominent riparian zones in the south-western Cape that each differ in streamflow quantity – to gain a mechanistic understanding of how woody species, especially invasive species, adapt their hydraulic strategy across this proxy for water availability. Using factorial ANOVA’s, to distinguish any differences in plant physiological and wood anatomical responses to water availability within and between species, showed Acacia mearnsii having consistently higher drought-tolerance (lower P50 values and denser wood) compared to native species under reduced water availability. These results supported the significant variation in drought-tolerance strategies that exist within and between taxonomically different species across different environments. Water availability thus has a strong selective effect on functional traits of species; however, minimum water potentials were more useful in describing in situ hydrological conditions than streamflow. Additionally, a non-causal relationship between wood anatomical traits and drought-induced cavitation was observed. Therefore, using only wood anatomical measurements to assess drought-tolerance of species might not be accurate across all species. This mechanistic approach to assess the invasive potential of species under projected drier conditions has great practical value. It can be used to improve species selection for restoration initiatives, and is of great value for future use in prioritizing eradication programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rivieroewer ekosisteme in die Mediterreense Suidwes-Kaap streek kan groot afnames in stroomvloei verwag, wat meestal toegeskryf kan word aan klimaatsverandering en die verhoogde aanvraag na water geassosieerd met stygende populasiegrootte. Uitheemse indringerplante soos Acacia mearnsii vererger hierdie probleem. Laasgenoemde spesies plaas groot druk op opvanggebiede se water opbrengs, en vorm grootliks die rede waarom uitroeiing programme soos Werk vir Water (WfW) gestig is. WfW het al groot suksesse behaal in die bestuur van uitheemse indringerplante, en terselfdertyd die lewenskwaliteit van arm Suid-Afrikaners verhoog. Ongelukkig sukkel hierdie indringer uitroeiing inisiatiewe telkens met ongenoegsame bewyse wat kan help om leiding te verskaf by die prioritisering van areas meer geneig tot indringing. Die gevolg is dat onvoldoende bestuurs besluite gemaak kan word. Gevolglik sal kennis geassosieerd met die moontlike toekomstige verspreiding van hierdie indringerplant in ʼn veranderlike omgewing help om uitroeiing programme meer akkuraat te stel en gevolglik waardevol wees t.o.v. prioritisering van kwesbare areas. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die kwesbaarheid van sleutel inheemse houtagtige rivier spesies en veral die dreigende indringerplant Acacia mearnsii, te bestudeer in terme van verlaagde stroomvloei soos voorspel vir die Wes-Kaap fynbos ekosisteem. Deur te bepaal of houtagtige plante verskillende fisiologiese (kwesbaarheid teen xileem blokkasie) en anatomiese (hout digtheid, vat weerstandbiedendheid teen inmekaarkolking, vat holte en wand deursnee) hidrologiese eienskappe tentoonstel gemeet tussen drie prominente rivieroewer sones in die suidwes Kaap wat variëer in stroomvloei kwantiteit, verskaf ʼn meganistiese begrip van hoe spesies, veral die indringerplante, hul hidrologiese strategieë ten opsigte van droogtes kan aanpas. Faktoriële ANOVAS’s tussen spesies en liggings het getoon dat beide plant fisiologiese en hout anatomiese data beduidend variëer tussen taksonomies verskillende spesies. Veral Acacia mearnsii het deurgaans laer P50 waardes asook hoër houtdigtheid getoon, ‘n teken van hierdie spesies se verhoogde droogte toleransie in vergelyking met die inheemse spesies. Wat beduidend is is dat spesies-spesifieke lewensstrategieë ten opsigte van droogte toleransie in hierdie rivieroewer sones voorkom. Resultate het bevestig dat water beskikbaarheid ʼn groot rol speel in die seleksie van funksionele karaktereienskappe in plante, maar, dat minimum water potensiaal meer akkuraat was om in situ hidrologiese toestande te beskryf as wat stroomvloei kon. Die verhouding tussen plant fisiologiese en hout anatomiese karaktereienskappe was indirek as gevolg van spesies-spesifieke lewensstrategieë. Gevolglik sal die allenige gebruik van hout anatomiese eienskappe om droogte toleransie in plante te assesseer onakkuraat wees omdat daar ʼn swak verhouding tussen hout anatomie en droogte-geïnduseerde xileem blokkasie bestaan. ʼn Meganistiese benadering om die indringing potensiaal van spesies onder voorspelde droër kondisies te assesseer, asook om spesies seleksie vir restourasie doeleindes op te skerp, is prakties uitvoerbaar, en van groot waarde vir toekomstige gebruik in uitroeiing en restourasie inisiatiewe.

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / 89 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-xiv and numbered pages 1-89. Includes bibliography. List of tables, figures used. / Scanned with a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format (OCR). / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main aim of an old field rehabilitation trial initiated in 2000 was to find a solution to the rehabilitation process for approximately 90 000 ha of unutilised land in the Little Karoo, South Africa. Depending only on a natural succession process to restore unutilised old fields would mean that the period of recovery would be longer than the life span of an average farmer. The trial, initiated by Witbooi in 2000 aimed to see how human intervention can facilitate the process of rehabilitation of old-fields. Three years later, the trial was again monitored to evaluate the success of reseeded indigenous species and method of cultivation in the rehabilitation process. A second objective was based on a result of Witbooi (2002) who showed that there was a tendency of 0. pes-caprae to invade disturbed areas, and aimed to evaluate the effect of this species on the rehabilitation process. Seven indigenous species were reseeded in 2000, of which only four species germinated and survived to the present. These surviving species are Pteronia incana Burm Dc., Tripteris sinuata DC., Ehrharta calycina SM and Chaetobromus dregeanus Nees. The highest level of recruitment in 2001 was recorded for T sinuata followed by P. incana, E. calycina and C. dregeanus. In September 2003, three years after the trial was initiated, the highest number of surviving seedlings were of T sinuata followed by E. calycina, C. dregeanus and P. incana. Five different cultivation methods were used to enhance the germination rate and survival of seedlings. The number of seedlings that survived differs according to the cultivation methods and soil type. Tripteris sinuata had the highest number of surviving seedlings in all cultivation methods off-heuweltjies. Tripteris sinuata was therefore selected to analyse the effect of various cultivation methods. The second objective was to study the impact of Oxalis pes-caprae on species diversity in restored old fields by assessing its ability to disperse in old fields under different cultivation methods. The multivariate ANOVA results showed that there was a significant difference in the density of O. pes-caprae between on and off heuweltjies (sites) and treatments (cultivation methods). There was a significant difference in the density of O. pes-caprae between cultivation methods. A Post Hoc LSD test showed a significant difference in the density of aboveground O. pes-caprae plants between control sites (no disturbance) compared to those sites that underwent some sort of soil disturbance. There was, however, no significant difference in the abundance of O. pes-caprae on plots that underwent some sort of disturbance (i.e Cleared vs Tilled vs Disked vs Ploughed sites) on heuweltjies. There was a significant difference in the number of O. pes-caprae bulbs collected between blocks (on and off-heuweltjie) and significant differences between cultivation methods. There was also a significant difference in bulb diameter between cultivation methods when compared between on and off-heuweltjie sites. The bulbs were classified into four measurement classes. The highest number of small (2-5 mm diameter) and medium (5-8 mm diameter) sized bulbs were found in the Tilled cultivation method. In contrast the Control treatment (uncultivated) had the highest number of large sized bulbs (14-17 mm diameter) and medium bulbs size categories. In conclusion, T. sinuafa has the potential to be used for rehabilitation of old fields in combination with Tilled cultivation method. Attention should be paid to the effect of O. pes-caprae especially on heuweltjies where this species showed a complete dominance in the rehabilitation trial. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoof doel van 'n ou veld rehabilitasie eksperiment wat in 2000 geinisieer is was om 'n oplossing te vind vir die rehabilitasie proses vir ongeveer 90 000 ha onbenutte land in die Klein Karoo, Suid-Afrika. Indien daar slegs op natuurlike suksessie prosesse staatgemaak word om die onbenutte ou lande te restoreer, sou dit beteken dat die periode van herstel langer sou wees as die lewensverwagting van die gemiddelde boer. Hierdie eksperiment, wat in 2000 deur Witbooi geinisieer is, het gepoog om te bepaal hoe menslike inmenging die proses van rehabilitasie van ou velde kan fasiliteer. Drie jaar later is die eksperiment weer gemonitor om die sukses van die teruggesaaide inheemse spesies en bewerkings-metodes in die rehabilitasie proses te evalueer. 'n Tweede doelwit is gebaseer op 'n resultaat van Witbooi (2002) wat aangetoon het dat daar 'n neiging was vir O. pes-caprae om versteurde areas binne te dring, en het dus gemik om die effek van hierdie spesie op die rehabilitasie proses te evalueer. Sewe inheemse spesies is in 2000 teruggesaai, waarvan slegs 4 spesies ontkiem en oorleef het tot die hede. Hierdie oorlewende spesies is Pteronia incana Burm Dc., Tripteris sinuata DC., Ehrharta calycina SM en Chaetobromus dregeanus Nees. Die hoogste vlak van werwing in 2001 is vir T sinuata aangeteken, gevolg deur P. incana, E. calycina en C. dregeanus. In September 2003, drie jaar na die aanvang van die eksperiment, was die hoogste getal oorlewende saailinge die van T sinuata, gevolg deur E. calycina, C. dregeanus en P. incana. Vyf verskillende bewerkings-metodes is gebruik om ontkiemingstempo en saailing oorlewing aan te help. Die aantal saailinge wat oorleef het varieer volgens die bewerkings-metode wat gevolge is en die grondtipe. Tripteris sinuata het die grootste aantal oorlewende saailinge gehad in al die bewerkings-metodes af van heuweltjies. Tripteris sinuata is daarom geselekteer om te analiseer vir die effek van verskillende bewerkings-metodes. Die tweede doelwit was om die inpak van Oxalis pes-caprae op spesie-diversiteit in die gerestoreerde ou land te bepaal deur die vermoë van hierdie spesie om in ou velde te versprei onder verskillende bewerkings-metodes te evalueer. Die multi-veranderlike ANOVA resultate het aangetoon dat daar 'n beduidende verskil in O. pes-caprae digtheid tussen heuweltjie en nie-heuweltjie (persele) en verskillende bewerkings-metodes was. Daar was 'n beduidende verskil in die digtheid van o. pes-caprae tussen verskillende bewerkingsmetodes. 'n Post Hoc LSD toets het 'n beduidende verkil in die digtheid van bogrondse O. pes-caprae plante tussen kontrole terreine (geen versteuring) vergeleke met persele wat een of ander vorm van grondversteuring ondergaan het aangedui. Daar was egter geen beduidende verskil in die volopheid van 0. pes-caprae op persele wat een of ander vorm van versteuring ondergaan het (i.e Skoongemaakte vs Getilde vs Geskottelde vs Geploegde persele) op heuweltjies nie. Daar was 'n beduidende verskil in die aantal O. pes-caprae bolle wat versamel is tussen blokke (op en af van heuweltjies) en beduidende verskille tussen die bewerkings-metodes. Daar was ook 'n beduidende verskil in bol-deursnitte tussen bewerkings-metodes wanneer dit tussen heuweltjie en nie-heuweltjie persele vergelyk is. Die bolle is in vier metingsklasse verdeel. Die grootste aantal klein (2-5 mm deursnit) en medium (5-8 mm deursnit) bolle is in die Getilde bewerkings-metode gevind. In kontras het die Kontrole behandeling (onbewerk) die grootste aantal groot (14-17 mm deursnit) en medium bolle gehad. Samevattend het T. sinuata die potensiaal om gebruik te word in die rehabilitasie van ou lande in kombinasie met die tilting bewerkings-metode. Aandag moet geskenk word aan die effek van 0. pes-caprae, veral op heuwetjies waar hierdie spesies 'n totale dominansie in die rehabilitasie eksperiment getoon het.

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During 2007, two evidence-based studies were undertaken in two catchment areas in South Africa. The first study ascertained the relationships between demographic attributes and general awareness, human impacts, attitudes and water use behaviour. The second study determined whether or not State-of-River (SoR) materials developed for foundation phase learners (grades 1 to 3) improved their understanding of and influenced their attitudes towards river conservation. Surveys were conducted amongst learners (n=1178) and parents (n=1144) from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Questionnaires were available in three languages, namely English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans. The SoR reporting materials were not adequately distributed. The first study could therefore not ascertain whether increased awareness or attitudinal and behavioural changes could be ascribed to SoR reporting in the catchments. The majority of respondents (82%) indicated that there was a need for more information on rivers and 60% of the respondents indicated that they would participate in a follow-up survey. Thirty percent of respondents from the Buffalo catchment and 22% of respondents from the Hartenbos and Klein Brak catchment indicated that they use water very sparingly. Respondents from urban areas scored higher in their attitudes towards river conservation and were more aware of water issues than those from rural areas. Both attitudinal and awareness scores did not align with water use behaviour, with rural respondents using water more sparingly. Attitude and awareness improved with increased education levels. Respondents who indicated that they would rather pay more for water than change their water use behaviour showed the lowest score for attitude towards river conservation. Learners from the Buffalo rural area showed a significant increase in understanding the benefits that healthy rivers provide, and this can be ascribed to the distributed SoR activity book and poster. A survey consisting of quantitative and qualitative items, as well as participatory evaluations determined learners’ level of understanding of human impacts on rivers. The quantitative study showed learners from the Hartenbos and Klein Brak area as well as the Buffalo rural area improved the most over time. The qualitative items showed a 35% and 40% increase in the number of correctly listed items as either making a river happy (healthy) or sad (unhealthy) after exposure to SoR materials. Respondents from both catchments taking part in the participatory evaluations displayed an overall increase in their understanding of good practices, as well as the negative impact of human activities on rivers. Those learners that scored low in the participatory evaluations at time 1 showed the most improvement over time, concluding that those learners who knew the least at the start of the study, gained the most understanding of human impacts on rivers. All schools in the Hartenbos and Klein Brak catchment, with the exception of one, showed a slight increase in understanding of human impacts on rivers. Results from the schools in the Buffalo catchment were more variable. Data gathered demonstrated that the SoR materials helped learners to better understand benefits from clean rivers as well as human impact on rivers. Although the learners from urban areas had a better understanding of the concept of river conservation before contact with the SoR materials, learners from the rural areas showed the most improvement over time. There was an increase in the number of learners that showed a willingness to take responsibility for their actions that could impact on river health. Far more learners mentioned remediation types of actions than protection or preventative actions. A change in peoples’ attitudes and behaviour is needed to ensure adequate protection of South Africa’s natural water resources. Imprinting values and perceptions that would last into adulthood need intervention at an early age and throughout children’s’ formative years. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende 2007, twee bewysgebaseerde ondersoeke is in twee wateropvangsgebiede in Suid Afrika gedoen. Die eerste studie was gerig op die bepaling van die verband tussen demografiese kenmerke, algemene bewustheid, menslike impak, houdings en waterverbruik. Die tweede studie het bepaal of die Stand-van-Rivier (SvR) inligtingsmateriaal wat vir grondslagfase leerlinge (graad 1 tot 3) ontwikkel is, bygedra het tot hulle begrip van en houding jeens die bewaring van riviere. Steekproeftrekkings het leerlinge (n=1178) en ouers (n=1144) vanuit verskillende kultuur- en sosioekonomiese agtergronde betrek. Vraelyste was in drie landstale naamlik Engels, Xhosa en Afrikaans beskikbaar. Die SvR kommunikasie material is nie toereikend versprei nie. Die eerste studie kon derhalwe nie bepaal of groter bewustheid of veranderings in houding en gedrag in hierdie opvangsgebiede aan die SvR verslaggewing toegeskryf kon word nie. Die meerderheid respondente (82%) het aangedui dat daar ‘n tekort and rivierinligting is en 60% van die respondente het hulself bereidwillig verklaar om aan ’n opvolgstudie deel te neem. Dertig persent van die respondente uit die Buffels- en 22% uit die Hartenbos- en Klein Brak-opvangsgebiede het aangedui dat hulle water spaarsamig gebruik. Respondente afkomstig van stedelike gebiede het beter rivierbewaringshoudings getoon en was meer bewus van wateraangeleenthede as die van landelike gebiede. Houdings en bewustheids-vlakke het nie ooreengestem met waterverbruik nie – landelike respondente gebruik water meer spaarsamig. Beide houdings en algemene bewustheid het toegeneem met hoër onderwysvlakke. Respondente wat aangedui het dat hulle eerder meer vir water sal betaal as om hulle verbruik te verminder, het die swakste houding jeens die bewaring van riviere getoon. Leerlinge uit die landelike gebiede van die Buffels opvangsgebied het groter begrip getoon vir die voordele wat gesonde riviere inhou, en dit kan toegeskryf word aan die aktiwiteitsboek en SvR plakkaat wat onder hulle versprei is. ‘n Steekproef bestaande uit kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe items, sowel as deelnemende evaluasies is gebruik om leerlinge se vlak van begrip van menslike impak op riviere te bepaal. Die kwantitatiewe studie het aangedui dat die begrip van leerlinge van die Hartenbos en Klein Brak sowel as die van die landelike Buffelsrivieropvangsgebiede oor tyd die meeste toegeneem het. Op die vraag wat riviere gelukkig (gesond) of hartseer (ongesond) maak, het die kwalitatiewe items, na blootstelling van die leerders aan die SvR materiaal, ‘n toename van 35% en 40% in korrekte antwoorde getoon. In die deelnemende evaluasie het respondente van beide opvangsgebiede ‘n toename in begrip van goeie praktyke sowel as die negatiewe impak van menslike aktiwiteite op riviere getoon. Leerlinge wat swak gevaar het in die deelnemende evaluasie gedurende die eerste rondte het die meeste vordering getoon. Die gevolgtrekking is dus dat leerlinge wat die minste geweet het aan die begin van die studie, die meeste geleer het oor menslike impak op riviere. Op een na, het alle skole in die Hartenbos- en Klein Brakrivieropvangsgebied ‘n geringe verhoging in begrip van menslike impak op riviere getoon. Resultate van skole uit die Buffelsopvangsgebied het meer gevarieer. Data versamel het gedemonstreer dat die gebruik van die aktiwiteitsboek en plakkate gelei het tot ’n beter begrip by leerders van die voordele van skoon riviere asook van menslike impak op riviere. Alhoewel die leerlinge van stedelike gebiede beter begrip getoon het oor rivierbewaring voor kontak met die SvR material, het die landelike leerlinge die grootste toename in begrip oor die verloop van die studie getoon. Daar was ook ‘n toename in die aantal leerlinge wat bereid was om verantwoordelikheid vir hulle aktiwiteite wat ‘n impak op riviergesondheid kon hê, te aanvaar. Veel meer leerlinge het tydens die tweede fase verwys na herstel eerder as beskermings of voorkomende gedrag. ’n Verandering in mense se houdings en gedrag is noodsaaklik om genoegsame bewaring van Suid Afrika se natuurlike waterhulpbronne te verseker. Waarde sisteme en persepsies wat met volwassewording steeds geldig sal wees, word reeds teen ’n vroeë ouderdom, gedurende kinders se vormingsjare, vasgelê.

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

Thesis (MScConEcol)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The role of mites as primary vectors of various fungi within Protea infructescences was recently confirmed and raised questions about their general diversity and their role within this unique niche. Although mites evidently form an integral part of Fynbos ecosystems and probably play a significant role in Protea population dynamics, there is a general void in our knowledge of mite diversity within the Cape Floristic Region. These organisms do not only affect ecological processes within the CFR, but also the economic value of Protea exports. This study sets out to describe mite communities within the infructescences of a variety Protea species. In the process, the role of various environmental variables and differences in host characteristics affecting these communities are also explored. A total of 24281 mite individuals, comprising of 36 morphospecies in 23 families, were collected from 16 surveyed Protea spp. Mite community structure and composition were significantly influenced by plant taxonomy, phenology and infructescence architecture in different Protea spp. At a temporal scale, infructescence age and season were influential factors on mite community structure. Collection locality significantly influenced mite communities within the infructescences of a single Protea sp. Host architecture had no influence on mite communities within a single host species. Geographic distance had no significant influence on mite community structure within Protea infructescences. This implies that factors particular to particular host species determine mite communities. These include factors such as the mode of pollination of the host plant, level of serotiny and plant life form. Numerous newly recorded mite species collected from Protea infructescences are also described in this study. An identification key to the Tydeidoidae of South Africa is provided here for the first time. This study forms a baseline dataset for future studies on the biodiversity of mites in this extremely diverse eco-region. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die rol van myte as primêre vektore van verskeie funguses binne Protea vrugtekoppe is onlangs bevestig, en het vrae laat ontstaan oor hulle algemene diversiteit en rol binne hierdie unieke nis. Alhoewel myte duidelik ‘n integrale deel vorm van Fynbos ekosisteme en waarskynlik ‘n belangrike rol speel in Protea populasie-dinamika, is daar ‘n algemene leemte in ons kennis van mytdiversiteit binne die Kaapse Floristiese Ryk (KFR). Hierdie organismes affekteer nie slegs ekologiese prosesse binne die KFR nie, maar ook die ekonomiese waarde van Protea-uitvoere. Hierdie studie mik as vertrekpunt om die verkillende myt-gemeenskappe binne die vrugtekoppe van verskeie Protea spesies te beskryf. In die proses is die rol van verskillende omgewingsveranderlikes en verskille in gasheer kenmerke wat hierdie gemeenskappe affekteer, ook ondersoek. ‘n Totaal van 24281 myt individue, saamgestel uit 36 morfspesies in 23 families, mytgemeenskappe is beduidende beinvloed deur die taksonomie van die plant, die fenologie en die vrugtekop-argitektuur van verskillende Protea spesies. Op ‘n temporale skaal is gevind dat vrugtekop-ouderdom en seisoen beduidende faktore is in die samestelling van mytgemeenskapstruktuur. Versamel-lokaliteit het verder mytgemeenskappe binne die vrugtekoppe mytgemeenskappe binne ‘n enkele gasheerspesie getoon nie. Geografiese afstand het geen beduidende invloed op mytgemeenskapstruktuur binne Protea vrugtekoppe getoon nie. Dit faktore in soos die metode van bestuiwing van die gasheer plant, die vlak van saadhoudendheid van die Protea koppe en plant-lewensvorm. Verskeie nuwe myt spesies wat uit Protea vrugtekoppe versamel is, word ook in hierdie studie beskryf. ‘n Identifikasie-sleutel vir die Tydeidoidae van Suid-Afrika word verder vir die eerste keer hier verskaf. Hierdie studie vorm die basis datastel vir toekomstige studies van die biodiversiteit van myte in hierdie besonder diverse eko-omgewing.

Thesis (MScConEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Invasive alien plants (IAPs) reduce streamflow and threaten the biodiversity of South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region. Up-to-date information on invasive vegetation is required for land management agencies to formulate policies and make appropriate resource management decisions. Invasion maps are typically not updated often enough because of the time and expenses required to do so. As a result, invasion maps for South Africa are limited to coarse resolution data or isolated small scale studies. Invasive alien plants change the landscape by destabilizing catchments and thereby increasing soil erosion, altering fire regimes and hydrology, as well as changing the physical and chemical composition of the soil. Information on IAPs is needed at a landscape scale. Remote sensing is a powerful tool that can be used to characterise landscapes in a biologically meaningful manner. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to create an up-to-date invasion map of the Agulhas Plain, lying at the heart of the species rich Cape Floristic Region. This information was combined with actual evapotranspiration data from the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) study done by Water Watch and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The results showed that invasive vegetation uses more water than natural fynbos vegetation and that the greatest amount of water would be made available by clearing the invaded deep sands on the Agulhas Plain. These deep sand areas conflict with the priority areas of the Working for Water programme. This IAP eradication programme targets sparsely invaded upland areas for long-term sustainability. The recommendation of this study is to clear invaded wetland and riparian areas as these zones yield the greatest hydrological benefit per hectare and meet the priorities of Working for Water. Overall, 36 million cubic meters of water would be made available by clearing the Agulhas Plain. It can be concluded that there is a significant hydrological benefit to clearing invasive alien vegetation on the Agulhas Plain. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Indringerplante (IP) verminder stroomvloei en bedreig die biodiversiteit van Suid-Afrika se Kaapse Floristiese Streek. Die nuutste inligting oor uitheemse plantegroei is nodig vir grondbestuuragentskappe om beleide te formuleer vir die neem van toepaslike hulpbronbestuur besluite. As gevolg van die tyd en uitgawes wat nodig is om indringingskaarte op te dateer, word dit gewoonlik nie dikwels genoeg gedoen nie. Dus is indringingskaarte vir Suid-Afrika beperk tot growwe resolusie data of geïsoleerde kleinskaal studies. Indringerplante verander die landskap deur opvangsgebiede te destabiliseer en sodoende te lei tot gronderosie, verandering van vuurregimes en hidrologie, sowel as die verandering in die fisiese en chemiese samestelling van die grond. Inligting oor IP is nodig op 'n landskapskaal. Afstandswaarneming is 'n kragtige tegniek wat gebruik kan word om landskappe op 'n biologies betekenisvolle manier te karakteriseer. Die Normalised Difference plantegroei-indeks (NDVI) is gebruik om 'n opgedateerde indringingskaart van die Agulhas-vlakte, wat in die hart van die spesiesryke Kaapse Floristiese Streek lê, te skep. Hierdie inligting is gekombineer met die werklike evapotranspirasie data vanaf die Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) studie gedoen deur Water Watch en die Raad vir Wetenskaplike en Nywerheidnavorsing. Die resultate het getoon dat uitheemse plantegroei meer water gebruik as natuurlike fynbosplantegroei en dat die grootste hoeveelheid van hierdie water beskikbaar gestel sal word deur IP op diepsand op die Agulhas-vlakte skoonte maak. Hierdie diepsand areas is in konflik met die prioriteitsgebiede van die Werk vir Water-program. Hierdie IP uitroeiingsprogram fokus op yl ingedringde berggebiede vir langtermyn volhoubaarheid. Die aanbeveling van hierdie studie is om duidelik ingedringde vleilande en oewergebiede skoon te maak, siende dat hierdie sones die hoogste opbrengs en die grootste hidrologiese voordeel per hektaar bied, en voldoen aan die prioriteite van Werk vir Water. In totaal sou 36 miljoen kubieke meter water beskikbaar gestel word deur die skoonmaak van die Agulhas-vlakte. Dus kan dit afgelei word dat die verwydering van hidrologiese indringerplante op die Agulhas-vlakte 'n beduidende voordeel sal inhou.

Thesis (MScConEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Declines in natural capital, such as the degradation of ecosystems and loss of species, are the result of threats created by anthropogenic activities. The concept of sustainable development encompasses the economic and social growth of societies, with limited impacts on the natural environment. Sustainable development initiatives are being implemented in an attempt to mitigate the global decline in natural capital. Biosphere reserves, which are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Programme, aim to be landscape-scale examples of sustainable development. UNESCO requires biosphere reserves to submit a periodic review every ten years to ensure they are meeting their goals. This requires that that they monitor and evaluate their progress towards their sustainable development goals. Sustainability indicators are tools used to assess progress towards ecological, social and economic goals, and can thus be useful tools for biosphere reserves to ensure they are achieving their goals. The Kogelberg and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserves are both situated within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The CFR, located in the South-West of South Africa, has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot owing to its high plant diversity. About a fifth of the CFR is formally protected, while about three quarters has been transformed, mainly by cultivated lands, urban areas and alien vegetation. The socio-economic dimensions of the region are also diverse. A high percentage of its inhabitants have low incomes and live in informal settlements, while a smaller percentage have high incomes and live in middle to upper-class urban areas. Biosphere reserves aim to encourage their diverse stakeholders to collaboratively develop and work towards sustainable development goals. This research project applied an action research approach. The research objectives were achieved through collaboration with biosphere reserve stakeholders. The first objective was to develop sustainability indicator sets for the Kogelberg and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserves. Following the introduction to the research provided in Chapter 1, Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of this thesis describe the stages of the research process undertaken to achieve this objective. With the aim of investigating monitoring and evaluation within biosphere reserves, Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature and Chapter 3 presents the results of interviews with managers of South African biosphere reserves and a web-based survey of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Chapter 4 describes the collaborative process of conducting local stakeholder workshops and specialist focus groups to develop sets of sustainability indicators; one set each for the Kogelberg and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserves. The second objective was to formulate a national protocol for the development of sustainability indicators for South African biosphere reserves. This was developed through a synthesis of the results and lessons learnt in Chapters 2 to 4. This national protocol was designed to be flexible enough to be adapted to the local circumstances and needs of individual South African biosphere reserves. The global review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature revealed that monitoring and evaluation studies in biosphere reserves are mostly conducted in the developing world by authors from the developed world and many of the studies and indicators that were developed focused on ecological dimensions. These results show that biosphere reserves need to enhance their local capacity for the development and implementation of improved monitoring and evaluation methods and frameworks. The outcomes of the interviews with representatives of the management of South African biosphere reserves and a survey of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves found that many biosphere reserves identified in this survey are reportedly implementing monitoring and evaluation, but few have developed sustainability indicators. It was found that there are many similar challenges with regards to monitoring and evaluation in biosphere reserves, most notably the lack of capacity and funding Lastly, the collaborative process used to develop sustainability indicators for the Kogelberg and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserves proved to be useful and produced the desired outcomes. The local stakeholder workshops produced large sustainability indicator sets, with many indicators that were immeasurable, but most were relevant to the biosphere reserves. The specialist focus groups produced more focused and feasible indicator sets. The local stakeholder and specialist indicator sets were integrated to produce a final set for each biosphere reserve that was relevant to the social-ecological systems of the biosphere reserves, with indicators that could feasibly be implemented. The action research approach applied in this study delivered a pragmatic set of sustainability indicators that can be implemented by both biosphere reserves. The National Department of Environmental Affairs, and the Kogelberg and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve co-ordinators have encouraged and supported the development of the sustainability indicator sets and the national protocol. Supporting these with a social learning institution within each biosphere reserve will be required for ensuring their on-going utility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dalings in natuurlike kapitaal, soos die degradasie van ekosisteme en die verlies van spesies, is die gevolg van die bedreigings wat geskep word deur menslike aktiwiteite. Die konsep van volhoubare ontwikkeling behels die ekonomiese en sosiale ontwikkeling van samelewings, met beperkte impak op die natuurlike omgewing. Volhoubare ontwikkelings inisiatiewe word geïmplementeer in 'n poging om die afname in natuurlike kapitaal te verminder. Die doel van biosfeerreservate, wat aangewys is deur die Verenigde Nasies se Opvoedkundige, Wetenskaplike en Kulturele Organisasie (UNESCO) se Man en die Biosfeer-program, is om landskap-skaal voorbeelde van volhoubare ontwikkeling te wees. UNESCO vereis dat biosfeerreservate 'n periodieke hersiening elke tien jaar voor te lê om te verseker dat hulle op pad is om hul doelwitte te bereik. Dit vereis dat hulle moet hul vordering monitor en evalueer teenoor hul volhoubare ontwikkelingsdoelwitte. Volhoubaarheid aanwysers word gebruik om vordering ten opsigte van ekologiese, sosiale en ekonomiese doelwitte te bepaal, en kan dus nuttig wees vir biosfeerreservate om te verseker dat hulle hul doelwitte bereik. Die Kogelberg en Kaapse Weskus Biosfeerreservate is beide in die Kaapse Floristiese Omgewing (KFO) geleë. Die KFO, wat in die Suid-Wes van Suid-Afrika geleë is, is geïdentifiseer as 'n biodiversiteit-brandpunt as gevolg van sy hoë plant diversiteit. Oor 1/5 van die KFO is formeel beskerm terwyl ongeveer 3/4 omskep is, hoofsaaklik deur bewerkte landerye, stedelike gebiede en uitheemse plantegroei. Die sosio-ekonomiese aspekte van die omgewing is ook uiteenlopend. 'n Hoë persentasie van die bevolking het 'n lae inkomste en woon in informele nedersettings, terwyl 'n kleiner persentasie het 'n hoë inkomste en woon in middel tot bo-klas stedelike gebiede. Biosfeerreservate streef daarna om hul diverse rolspelers aan te moedig om saam volhoubare ontwikkelingsdoelwitte te ontwikkel. Hierdie navorsingsprojek het 'n aksie-navorsing nadering toegepas. Die navorsing doelwitte is bereik deur middel van samewerking met biosfeerreservaat rolspelers. Die eerste doelwit was om volhoubaarheid aanwyser stelle vir die Kogelberg en Kaapse Weskus Biosfeerreservate te ontwikkel. Na aanleiding van die Inleiding tot die navorsing wat in Hoofstuk 1, Hoofstuk 2, 3 en 4 van hierdie tesis beskryf die fases van die navorsing wat onderneem is om hierdie doelwit te bereik. Met die doel van die ondersoek van monitering en evaluering binne biosfeerreservate, Hoofstuk 2 bied 'n sistematiese hersiening van die eweknie-geëvalueerde en grys literatuur aan en Hoofstuk 3 bied die resultate van onderhoude met bestuurders van Suid-Afrikaanse biosfeerreservate en 'n web-gebaseerde ondersoek van die wêreld Netwerk van Biosfeerreservate aan. Hoofstuk 4 beskryf die saamwerkende proses van die uitvoer van plaaslike rolspeler werkswinkels en spesialis fokusgroepe stelle van volhoubaarheid aanwysers te ontwikkel; een stel elk vir die Kogelberg en Kaapse Weskus Biosfeerreservate. Die tweede doelwit is om 'n nasionale protokol vir die ontwikkeling van volhoubaarheid aanwysers vir Suid-Afrikaanse biosfeerreservate te formuleer. Dit is ontwikkel deur middel van 'n sintese van die resultate en lesse wat geleer is in Hoofstukke 2 tot 4. Hierdie nasionale protokol is ontwerp om buigsaam genoeg te wees om aangepas te word by die plaaslike omstandighede en behoeftes van individuele Suid-Afrikaanse biosfeerreservate. Die globale oorsig van die eweknie-geëvalueerde en grys literatuur het gewys dat monitering en evaluering studies in biosfeerreservate word meestal in die ontwikkelende wêreld uitgevoer deur die skrywers van die ontwikkelde wêreld en baie van die studies en aanwysers wat ontwikkel word is gefokus op ekologiese dimensies. Hierdie resultate dui aan dat biosfeerreservate hul plaaslike kapasiteit vir die ontwikkeling en implementering van monitering en evaluering metodes en raamwerke moet verbeter. Die uitkomste van die onderhoude met verteenwoordigers van die bestuur van die Suid-Afrikaanse biosfeerreservate en 'n ondersoek van die Wêreld Netwerk van Biosfeerreservate dui aan dat baie van die biosfeerreservate wat in hierdie ondersoek na berig word implementeer monitering en evaluering, maar min het volhoubaarheid aanwysers ontwikkel. Daar is gevind dat daar baie soortgelyke uitdagings met betrekking tot monitering en evaluering in biosfeerreservate, veral die gebrek aan kapasiteit en befondsing Ten slotte, die gesamentlike proses wat gebruik is om die volhoubaarheid aanwysers vir die Kogelberg en Kaapse Weskus Biosfeerreservate te ontwikkel het bewys om nuttig te wees en het die verlangde uitkomste gelewer. Die plaaslike rolspeler werkswinkels het groot volhoubaarheid aanwyser stelle geproduseer, met baie onmeetbare aanwysers, maar meeste van die aanysers was relevant tot die biosfeer-reservate. Die spesialis fokusgroepe het meer gefokusde en uitvoerbaar aanwyser stelle geproduseer. Die plaaslike rolspeler en spesialis aanwyser stelle is geïntegreer in 'n finale stel vir elke biosfeerreservaat wat relevant is tot die sosiaal-ekologiese stelsels van die biosfeer-reservate, met aanwysers wat uitvoerbaar is. Die aksie-navorsing benadering wat in hierdie studie toegepas is het 'n pragmatiese stel van volhoubaarheid aanwysers afgelewer wat sal deur beide biosfeerreservate geïmplementeer word. Die Nasionale Departement van Omgewingsake, en die Kogelberg en Kaapse Weskus Biosfeer Reservaat koördineerders het die ontwikkeling van die volhoubaarheid aanwyser stelle en die Nasionale Protokol aangemoedig en ondersteun. Ondersteuning van hierdie uitsette met 'n sosiale leer instelling binne elke biosfeerreservaat sal vereis wees om hul deurlopende nut te verseker.